Yo Google! Secondary Languages Might Be Coming to Google Assistant

January 30, 20188:53 pm

A Google app teardown has revealed some new features that may arrive to Assistant, including custom hot-words and secondary languages.
Custom hot-words would allow users to create their own version of the existing “OK Google” and “Hey Google” hot-words.
A secondary language could be set up to allow Assistant to respond to queries in two languages.

A recent analysis of the Google app 7.20 APK has hinted at some exciting new potential features. These include custom hot-words and the ability to choose a primary and secondary language for the Google Assistant.

While these features have long been expected, the analysis by 9to5Google suggests that they could be making an appearance on Android devices sooner rather than later.

Previously, the only way to wake up the Google Assistant on your Android phone with your voice was to say the hot-word “OK Google.” In an update last month, Google also added the ability for users to use the hot-word “Hey Google.” This not only gave people an extra way to wake up their device but also brought it inline with the Google Home smart speaker.

AI assistants have become a large part of the smartphone and PC experience over the last couple of years, and the ever increasing competition in this space has led to a lot of improvements.

While this was great, many users still wanted the ability to use a hot-word of their choosing and it seems that Google is finally going to add this feature. This could result in a more natural experience for people who find it awkward to use one of the existing hot-words or who find that the existing hot-words set their Google assistant off too easily.

A more consequential change, albeit one that may affect a much smaller number of users, is the potential for users to set up a primary and a secondary language on their smart assistants. For people that speak multiple languages, the ability to use all the Google Assistant features in two languages could be a game changer.

The APK analysis also revealed a number of other things that could potentially make their way into future updates. These include:

A feature that could allow users to remove podcasts downloaded using Google’s built-in. podcast player after either 30 days or 24 hours.

Google Duo integration with the recently announced Google Smart Displays.

Google Express integration that could note and track the status of your orders in Google Home and Assistant.

An updated recent icon that will match the appearance of the recent icon with the Google app bottom bar.

There is a chance that some of the features won’t end up making it into future versions of the Google app. However, if they do, which features do you think you will be most likely to use?

About Nelson Régo

Nelson Régo is the owner and founder of the Cool Blind Tech website since November of 2012. Nelson launched the first show on March 14, 2013. He also directs the website as a whole, hiring staff, originating new shows, and approving all content.

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